The Guinness trust have finally sorted out their planning permission to redevelop the derelict site opposite the Millennium Hall. We are very pleased with the proposals but there is still no timetable for when the existing unsightly building will be cleared. We will continue to try and get something done soon.

A planning application has recently been approved for demolition of the Martin Long Centre on the Crawley road and the construction of a replacement mental health centre on the site. Your local councillors will be working with residents and council staff to ensure that construction access onto Crawley road or Oak Tree Way is appropriate and doesn’t add to existing parking problems in Oak Tree Way both during the construction period and when in use.

While we are on the subject of Oak Tree Way Parking, following a consultation with local residents, we have arranged for the recycling area to be closed. This will help to relieve congestion in the area and is no longer needed due to the success of the acorn plus scheme.

Although the work overran a little, the replacement level crossing gates at Littlehaven Station are proving very popular. The gates are closed for a much shorter time that the old ones when a train passes through and there is more space for pedestrians. We understand that North Horsham Parish Council have obtained the old wheel that worked the gates and intend to put it on display as a part of our history.

We hope people are pleased with the newly refurbished Horsham Station which is a real improvement to our town and creates a much better impression to visitors.

West Sussex County Council is responsible for highways. This includes grass verges and issues relating to trees and bushes which are overgrowing and obstructing the pavements. If you need to report any issue you can send us an email or give us a call, we will report it and monitor progress

Anyone wanting to have a health MOT can attend a free drop-in session in Horsham town centre each Wednesday until the middle of December

The Horsham District Wellbeing Hub, a free, friendly and impartial service from Horsham District Council, the NHS and other partners, will be continuing to run the confidential drop-in sessions on Wednesdays in the town centre from now until 19 December.

The popular sessions are run at The Octagon, Chart Way, Horsham, from 10am to 2pm each Wednesday, except Wednesday 3 October.

Call in for a friendly chat and a health MOT with one of the Wellbeing advisors with no need for an appointment.

Network rail are planning to replace the gates at Littlehaven station with modern barriers controlled by CCTV. Once completed the gates will be closed for a much shorter time when a train is passing though, reducing congestion and waiting times.

The works will take around 17 days to complete. It was originally planned to start on 14th January but due to technical difficulties we understand that work may not commence until late March or April. The crossing will be open for pedestrian movements but not vehicles during the work. Your local councillors arranged a public meeting with representatives from network rail at the Millennium Hall during December, which was well attended, lively and informative.

As reported in our last newsletter, The Guinness Trust, the owners of the derelict site on the corner of Crawley Road and Littlehaven Lane promised to erect hoardings around the site. This was as a result of the public concerns about its appearance and security expressed at a public meeting in July. You will probably have noticed that the owners of the site erected a hoarding and painted it bright pink. Thanks to the prompt comments from local residents your local councillors requested that it be repainted a more appropriate blue, and there was a swift response from the owners.

Their planning application to redevelop the site and provide about 15 new homes is expected to be submitted shortly.

Unfortunately the Guinness Trust’s original timetable for the redevelopment of the site has slipped a little and the redevelopment is not expected to be completed for another year.

Be warned of bogus home insulation grants. Some parts of the town are being targeted by a few companies claiming to be working in partnership with Horsham District Council, as part of its commitment to energy efficiency. HDC runs two local insulation schemes with HCL Energy (01273 390420) and HeatSeekers (0800 111 4968).

Any resident interested in having insulation installed can obtain a free, no obligation survey from either of these companies. No scheme connected to the council involves cold calling in person or by telephone. Nor do they require any payment before the work is carried out. You can also contact your energy company for insulation grants. If you have any queries you can contact HDC’s Sustainability Team on 01043 215281.

We are pleased to let you know that west Sussex County Council and its highway contractor have introduced a brand new fleet of 26 gritters. A real benefit of the new vehicle will be that because they are more efficient they will actually use 20% less salt, meaning our supplies will last for longer and there will be less of an effect on the environment.

The new vehicles are also equipped with a global positional system called “Coldsnap” which makes it possible to monitor the gritting throughout the county on a minute by minute basis. The County Council has a stockpile of 10,000 tonnes of salt.

Faulty or non working street lights, illuminates signs or bollards can be reported on the WSCC website or to SSE contracting on 0800 048 2435 where they will ask you for the column number and location. Alternatively, just let us know and we will sort it out for you.

West Sussex County Council is spending £6.3 million to match the amount West Sussex was awarded by the government in August to improve and extend the county’s broadband network. A good broadband network is vital for businesses, many of which are home based. The aim is to ensure much wider access, for residents and businesses, to a fast Broadband connection.